"And indeed, the burden of Cassandra's "gift" is evident in mythology. She predicted the outcome of many disastrous events. In one memorable example, Cassandra announced the dire consequences of the Trojans accepting the infamous Wooden Horse from their Greek opponents. But as Apollo made certain, no one believed Cassandra when she warned her companions about the future. And this, in the end, was to be Cassandra's tragic fate."

Sunday, January 03, 2010

Global warming is once again on hold (as seems to happen every year around this time):

The U.S. East Coast faces the coldest night of the season as frigid air spills south and threatens agriculture in Georgia, Alabama and the orange crop in Florida.

Freeze warnings were posted by the National Weather Service as far south as the Orlando area, which may be as many as 20 degrees below normal tonight, the National Weather Service said. The advisory alerts growers that subfreezing temperatures are imminent and may kill crops or other sensitive vegetation.

This is no minor event. In addition to biting cold we feel as we walk outside, crops are being harmed and records are being set:

Jacksonville, Florida, may see a record low tonight, Keefe said. The Miami area will see temperatures 12 degrees to 13 degrees below normal for this time of year, Keefe said.

Tonight will be the coldest and offer the greatest danger of crop damage, Keefe said. The next chance for freezing will come next week.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture last month estimated Florida’s orange crop will be 0.7 percent smaller than earlier forecast because adverse weather reduced fruit size.

These conditions are not isolated to the South:

While bitterly cold air grips the Midwest, another shot of extremely cold air is right around the corner. More of the nation's midsection will have to endure the upcoming arctic blast, which will be worsened by fierce biting winds.

A frigid dome of high pressure continues to have a firm grasp on the Midwest this weekend. Temperatures dangerously plummeted down to near -15° in Minneapolis and -35° in International Falls, Minn., early on Sunday morning.

Also, remember the following stories about records in Vermont, China and elsewhere with well below normal temperatures in Europe, India and the midwest the next time we hear the phrase "global warming" mindlessly repeated by followers of socialism.